But your team battle tested running through people in the Big 10.

How good is this Michigan basketball team?

And how good does it feel for you guys?

Part of 55 the crew that putting this Michigan team on the map to begin with, to see your brother Juwan Howard achieving the ultimate level of success.

So, um, I believe this was last season and Juwan had just got the job and, uh, no shots at Purdue.

Or or I think his name is Robbie Himmel.

And because he had terrific career Purdue and I got a chance to play against the big dog.

Who is that dude?

And I was watching him get his number, retired Jay and I was like, Wait a minute.

Michigan still ain't retired.

None of our numbers.

And then I thought about something I'd rather have jawan leading the program than anything else.

That, to me, is like the biggest validation of what the 55 was able to establish at the University of Michigan.

You and I said, Don't get up and did this argument.

John Beilein, fantastic coach at U of m.

You see his players sprinkled throughout the NBA.

Caris, Levert, Tim Hardaway, Jr.

Trey Burke like he did a terrific job at Michigan.

But when we talked about the players that were being recruited, what you and I specifically said is former McDonald's All American, you know that that's a different class of player when you're in that living room.

And when we were working at McDonald's All American game for years, J all of those top players, none of them were considering Michigan.

I did not make this up.

You and I talked about this for years, and so I was happy that John Beilein got his parachute package.

Got his big check for the Cats because he deserved for putting our squad on the map.

I'm forever grateful for him worth welcoming us back to campus.

But what John doing is next level because he has the player experience and he has the coaching experience.

So now when he comes into your locker room when he comes into your living room, it sounds different to the player.

It sounds different to the family and he did something that Michigan doesn't always do get.

Recruits get transfers are point guards.

Smith.

He's a transfer leading the Big 10 and six.

We have a couple of upperclassmen.

Liver's been doing terrific job adjusting this role.

Wagner is gonna be a pro.

A really good slasher.

Brown was a transfer.

I like our big fella Dickinson download to get us buckets as a young fella so we can play multiple styles.

Half court, full court win with the three win with the D.

I do believe we have a legit chance to win it all, but I ain't sleeping on the other top teams out there, including Baylor and Gonzaga in Ohio State.

I know they've been struggling lately, but there's some really good teams, but I would not be surprised if we're in the Final Four.

Hey, Jake, you think with this great success that he's having right now and I know he interviewed for NBA jobs prior to taking the Michigan job, is that gonna come back around full circle sooner rather than later?

A key.

They're gonna have to get that checkbook out.

You know how this works.

He interviewed for the Lakers job in the league before he took the Michigan job, which means they're gonna be looking and listening, and the person that night at him is Erik Spoelstra and Pat Riley and being a part of that culture, and you can get on the phone, talk about playing with LeBron James and Dwyane Wade and all of the amazing things that he's accomplished as a player.

He's going to have a duality as a coach where NBA teams are gonna constantly call for him.

But I believe right now as hard as that Michigan, one of his sons is on the roster, I believe another one of his sons is coming.

We have the number one recruiting class in the country, and I know for a fact he would not leave without winning the national championship.

Thanks for watching ESPN on YouTube.